Barangay execs on ‘narco-list’ get re-elected

ILOILO CITY, Philippines — Residents of Barangay Bakhaw in Mandurriao district, and Brgy. Monica-Blumentritt in City Proper district, both in Iloilo City, have chosen to re-elect their incumbent barangay chairpersons, despite the latter’s alleged involvement in illegal drugs.

Incumbents Keith “Dabing” Espinosa of Monica-Blumentritt and Remia Prevendido-Gregori of Bakhaw won for another term of office, after the counting of votes in the Barangay and SK elections on Monday.

Dabing, who won over her grandfather Frank “Antak” Espinosa, is the wife of high-value drug personality Jesus "Jing-Jing" Espinosa Jr., who was a former barangay councilman and is now incarcerated at the Iloilo District Jail in Pototan, Iloilo.

Jing-jing was considered as one of the most trusted men of slain Western Visayas drug personality Melvin Odicta, Sr. In October 2016, a string of criminal and administrative charges were filed against Dabing and two other village officials relative to the police anti-illegal drug raid against her husband Jing-jing.

In Bakhaw, Gregori who defeated Ronnie Tejam, is the sister of the slain drug personality Richard Prevendido. Her son is also behind bars for drugs-related cases. For her fresh mandate, Gregori said her constituents knew that she has nothing to do with illegal drugs, as she vowed to serve her constituents.

Besides Dabing and Gregori, Noemi Jablo of Barangay Desamprados in Jaro district, this city, was also the subject of the Provincial Board investigation into the alleged proliferation of prohibited drugs in their respective villages. But Jablo lost in her re-election bid. Previously, the three submitted themselves for Oplan Tokhang but denied their alleged links in the proliferation of illegal drugs in their barangays.

In Barangay Tanza Esperanza of City Proper district, village chief Noel “Nene” Odicta won as barangay councilman this time. He is the brother of the slain drug personality Melvin Odicta.

Chairperson Gemma Calzado of Barangay Kasing-Kasing in Molo district of Iloilo City, also won a seat in the barangay council. She is the lone village chief named in the latest narco-list of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency and the Department of the Interior and Local Government.

Meanwhile, Iloilo City Mayor Jose Espinosa III said the people have decided and they have to abide by it. They knew who are involved in illegal drugs and it was their choice if they still elect those in the “narco-list.”

For Chief Superintendent Cesar Hawthorne Binag, director of the Police Regional Office-6, said that the reports of these candidates’ involvement could have changed. However, "part of our efforts is to validate their activities. We would be watching them," he said.

On why they still won, Binag said they would leave it to the people to choose the leaders they want. He said the people had decided already and they made their verdict based on their own reasons and convictions. (FREEMAN)